On Friday, the US published its new security strategy, in which it rebukes Europe, but at the same time hardly mentions Russia, which continues to wage an aggressive war against a European country. Initially, reactions in Europe were rather restrained. In the meantime, however, more and more politicians are expressing their opinion clearly.
Norbert Rötgen from the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) said that the new US foreign policy positioning is a “second turning point“.
The first was announced in 2022 by the previous Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz after Russia's attack on Ukraine, when he announced the start of the rearmament of the Bundeswehr. ARD quotes an interview with Rötgen for the publishing group “Editorial Network Germany“, in which the politician stated that “for the first time since the end of World War II, the US is no longer on the side of the Europeans. The US is no longer on the side of Ukraine, against which a brutal war of annihilation is being waged“.
The US wants to "help Europe adjust"
The National Security Strategy is a document that is published periodically by the US government. It outlines the president's vision for foreign policy and serves as a guide for government decisions. In its new security strategy, the US criticizes a supposed loss of democracy and freedom of speech in Europe and calls for a course correction. It also states that the US wants to “help Europe correct its current course“.
Roettgen also commented that the US also defines its interference in the internal affairs of European countries as a foreign policy goal. “The goal is to influence our internal situation in accordance with the current ideological guidelines of the MAGA movement and to this end to cooperate with the internal enemies of liberal democracy in Europe – in Germany this is the party “Alternative for Germany“ (AfD).“
"The Kremlin is the happiest"
Green leader Franziska Brantner believes that the new American strategy means above all one thing: that Europe has no time to waste and must invest in its own sovereignty. CDU defense expert Roderich Kiesewetter told the Funke publishing group that under President Donald Trump, the US is no longer a partner in values, but a country that ruthlessly pursues its own economic interests.
Former Latvian Prime Minister Krišanis Karinš told Reuters that Russia was the most satisfied with the US security document. He recalled that Moscow had been trying to break up the transatlantic alliance for years: "And now it seems that the biggest factor that is breaking this alliance is the US itself, which is a pity."
And the Russian leadership did praise the US document. The changes in US strategy are "largely in line" with Russia's views, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Russian state television Rossiya. Although the US government defines the end of the war in Ukraine as its main interest, the document contains almost no critical words about Russia, ARD notes.
German Foreign Minister Vaddeful: "We don't need advice"
A number of current heads of state and government in Europe refrained from making assessments over the weekend. Many of them do not want to anger US President Donald Trump and provoke reactions that could harm Europe in the economic or security areas. It has been repeatedly stated that Europe is highly dependent on the US.
German Foreign Minister Johann Vaddeful said on Friday that the new US strategy will be thoroughly analyzed on all points. Regarding the accusation of a supposed lack of freedom of opinion in Germany, Wadeful stated, "There is no need for anyone to give us advice on this matter, as this is regulated by our constitutional system."
In Germany, there are not only the state authorities of the executive, legislative and judicial branches, but also truly free media, ARD also points out.
Author: Nicole Markwald ARD